Towel-sterilizer.



J P REARDON TOWEL STERILIZBB.

APPLICATION rmm Jums, 1909.

Patented Sept. 13,1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH P. REARDON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TOWEL-STERILIZER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn P. REARDON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Towel-Sterilizers; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in towel sterilizers.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which will thoroughly steam the towels so as to secure complete sterilization of the same but which will not soak or Wet the towels.

My invention, therefore, consists in certain new and useful features of construction and combination of parts as described in the specification, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in elevation showing a device embodying my invention with the cover raised. Fig. 2 is a central section of the same on the line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3, Fig. 1, with part broken away.

Again referring to the drawings 1 represents the base of the machine, which is preferably provided with a flange 3. On the base 1 is mounted the outer shell or casing of the sterilizer which may be either circular or rectangular in cross section, and as shown in the drawings, consists of a cylindrical portion 4 which is adapted to fit over the flange 3 on the base. A distance up from the bottom of the cylinder is arranged a water-tight bottom 6 so that the upper part of the casing forms a water chamber and the lower part forms a heating chamber. In the heating chamber is mounted a burner 2. An opening 7 is formed in the bottom 6 and an opening 8 in the side of the casing 4 to which are connected small sections of pipe 9 and 10, between which is arranged a gage glass 11. The bottom of the lass 11 is arranged to extend a little below tlie bottom 6 so that the exact level of the water in the casing 4 will always be apparent through the glass. In the lower part of the casing l is formed an opening 12 in line with the burner 2. Outside of and in proximity to the said opening is arranged a reflector 13, which may be formed of an ordinary mirror,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 15, 1909.

Patented Sept. 13, 1910.

Serial N 0. 472,426.

which is arranged at a convenient angle to give a reflection of the burner to one looking down thereon. This will enable the height of the flame to be adjusted without stooping down and actually looking into the lower part of the casing.

WVithin the water chamber is arranged a conical-shaped receptacle 15 having an imper'lorate bottom and provided at its top with a small beading 16 which is adapted to rest on the upper edge of the casing 4. A series of perforations 1.7 are formed in the receptacle 15 near the upper part there of, the object of which will appear hereafter. In the lower part of the receptacle 15 is arranged a perforated plate 18 which is supported on legs 19 so that it stands a slight distance above the bottom of the said receptacle. The receptacle 15 is provided with a hinged cover 21. and on the under side thereof is mounted an inclined plate 22 which is approximately equal in diameter to the diameter of the cover and is mounted on the cover in a manner such as to prevent the steam having access to the inner face of the cover. The plate 22 is provided with a series of corrugations arranged on each side of the vertical center line of the )late when the cover is raised and the saic corrugations are inclined downwardly toward said center line and form a series of channels 23 which serve to collect the water of condensation which is deposited on the plate when the cover is closed and when the cover is raised the water runs down the channels 23 to the center line of the plate. Below the center line of the plate 22 on the side of the receptacle 15 is mounted a small cup 24 which catches the water from the plate 22 and returns it to the outer casing. A partition 26 is arranged within the receptacle 15 and serves to separate the fresh towels from the towels that have been used, the used towels being 7lICQCl at one side of the partition and the fresh towels being drawn out on the opposite side.

By the arrangement of the features of my invention it is possible to thoroughly sterilize the towels without the towels being impregnated with water, for as the steam is admitted only at the top of the receptacle, just sufficient steam enters the receptacle to thoroughly sterilize the towels without the towels becoming soaked with the water. Also my arrangement of draining the water from the top of the cover prevents the dripping of the water from the cover onto the towels, which has heretofore been a serious defect in devices of this kind.

Also the arrangement of the parts of the device permit the same to be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned when desired.

l/Vhat I claim is 1. In a sterilizer a water chamber, means for heating the water therein, a receptacle removably mounted in said water chamber and provided with an imperforate bottom and having a series of perforations near the top thereof, a cover for closing the top of said receptacle and a division wall ex tending from side to side of the receptacle and spaced a distance above said bottom of said receptacle and a distance below the cover of said receptacle, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a sterilizer a water chamber, means for heating the water therein, a receptacle provided with perforations supported in said water chamber, a condensing plate arranged across the top of said receptacle and provided with a double series of corrugations, one series of corrugations being arranged on either side of the vertical center line of said plate when said plate is in a vertical position and being inclined downwardly toward said center line, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a sterilizer the combination of a casing provided with a water chamber, means for heating said chamber, a towel receptacle removably arranged within said water chamber and provided with a series of openings near the top thereof, a cover for said'receptacle, a plate arranged on the under side of said cover and provided with drainage channels for the condensed water and a cup mounted on the inside of said re ceptacle for catching the water from said plate when the cover is lifted and returning it to the water chamber.

4:. A sterilizer comprising a casing having a water chamber and a heating chamber, a burner arranged within the heating chamber, a reflector mounted in proximity to said opening on the outside thereof, a gage arranged for indicating the height of water in said water chamber, a receptacle arranged within the water chamber and provided with a series of perforations near the top thereof, a support arranged in the lower part of the last-named receptacle a distance above the bottom thereof, a cover for said receptacle, an inclined plate secured on the inside of said cover and provided with drainage channels and a cup mounted on the inside of said receptacle for receiving the water from the drainage channels when the cover is lifted and returning the same to the Water chamber.

In testimony whereof, I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH P. REARDON.

Witnesses:

VIoToR G. LYNCH, N. L. MODONNELL. 

